Snow removal obligation for homeowners | Alex Garden

As soon as it snows it’s time to go out with the snow shovel and broom: now it’s time to sweep the snow. In addition to ice and snow, owners also have a duty to ensure road safety. They have full responsibility for ensuring their property is safe in winter. To ensure that icy or slushy patches on the road or sidewalk do not pose a hazard to road users, homeowners are required to clear snow. Here we will explain what this obligation consists of and what you should pay attention to when carrying out winter service.

When do homeowners have to comply with the snow removal obligation?

If it snows, the obligation to clear the snow is automatically triggered. Because the risk of accidents increases with slippery conditions. If pedestrians fall and injure themselves on your property, you as the homeowner are responsible. So you better carry out your winter service reliably. Each municipality determines exactly when to evacuate. Usually the times are:
On weekdays from 7:00 to 21:00. and on Sundays and public holidays from 8am to 8pm.

But be careful! This also applies to morning grumps: The sidewalk must be cleared and cleared by 7 am. It’s helpful to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Find out if it will snow or freeze overnight. This way you will be prepared in time for the morning clearing tasks.

Obligation to clear snow: what needs to be cleared?

The obligation for homeowners to clear snow applies especially to paths that are within the property and are used by passers-by. Snowy and icy sidewalks pose a significant risk due to the high risk of slipping on them. THE Specifications, how wide the free lane should bevary depending on the municipality you live in. Basically, sidewalks are approximately 1 meter to 1.50 meters to delete. There should be enough space for two pedestrians to pass each other easily.

The free lane must not be too narrow even for oncoming traffic made up of strollers or pedestrians, since there is a risk of falling, especially in the event of a swerve. But simply shoveling snow isn’t enough: iciclethat protrude from the gutters, are beautiful to look at, but become dangerous when they fall. Larger specimens should therefore be removed for safety. If the problems are too high or the homeowner cannot solve them on his own, specialists can be hired to do so.

Mandatory shot blasting: what materials can be used?

After a light snowfall, simply sweep the driveway and sidewalk with a broom. However, when it freezes, icing quickly forms which, covered by a thin layer of snow, becomes a treacherous trap. For this reason, blasting agents are often needed to prevent slipping on driveways. There are no general rules regarding the use of sand, as cities and municipalities have their own requirements in this regard. However, you should avoid road salt. It can damage vehicles and pollute the environment. Its use is therefore prohibited in most communities. Put blunt ones instead granulating agents As Sand, Choose OR Sawdust A. Sweeping up loose gravel after the snow melts or at the end of winter is inconvenient, but you can reuse the sand the next time it snows. You should also avoid granules and sand as they can be contaminated with arsenic, lead or mercury.

Does vacation or illness exempt homeowners from snow removal duties?

It doesn’t matter if you are ill or are spending your holidays abroad: the snow clearing obligation for homeowners remains intact. As long as snowy or icy trails in front of or around the property pose a danger to passersby, the homeowner is obligated to perform winter maintenance. If he is absent during the period in which the road safety obligation exists, he must find a replacement person to take over his task. If damage or an accident occurs during your absence, you or your insurance company must pay the full amount for the resulting bodily injury and property damage.

Snow clearing obligation – the most important things at a glance

All important points are summarized here:

• Who has to carry out the snow clearing obligation? Homeowners are required to clear snow as soon as it has snowed. Tenants must also clear snow if the lease and house rules require it.
• Where does snow need to be removed? The driveways within the property must be cleared to ensure your safety, but also the sidewalks that directly run alongside the property so that pedestrians can pass unharmed.
• When is it necessary to clear snow? A. is clearedn Working days from 7:00 to 21:00 and on Sundays and public holidays from 8:00 to 20:00. Trails should be secured early, at 7 or 8 in the morning. A look at the weather forecast will tell you whether snow removal will be necessary the next day.
• How much snow do homeowners need to clear? It is best to shovel a lane wide enough for two pedestrians to pass. This corresponds to a width of approximately 1 meter to 1.50 meters.
• What does the snow clearing obligation include: In case of heavy snow it is necessary to clear the slopes. Large icicles that may fall should be removed. It is also important to sprinkle icy paths so that no one slips.

And after shoveling snow? Get back to the heat soon!

In order for homeowners to enjoy comfortable temperatures in the winter, the home should be well insulated. You can find information about external insulation in our blog post “Saving Energy with External Insulation: These Insulation Options and Materials Are Available.”